For years, Louisiana voters have been required to present a photo ID at the polls before casting a ballot. But in Wisconsin a federal judge has rejected a similar law in that state, ruling the requirement in itself is discriminatory against minorities, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The article examines a number of photo ID laws passed around the country after Republicans assumed control of many state legislatures after the 2010 elections. While backers say the laws are designed to eliminate fraud, studies found there were few improprieties and the measures were adopted in states with high minority turnout, Wendy Weiser, director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice told the LA Times.

The report looks at recent laws around the country, including one in Alabama that was upheld after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Voting Rights Act. The justices nullified a requirement that Southern states gain federal approval for changes in their election laws.